HomeFilmThe Purge: Election Year, Bad Moms, Julieta and more: In cinemas this...

The Purge: Election Year, Bad Moms, Julieta and more: In cinemas this week

Stuck for what to watch at the weekend? Let Entertainment Focus help you with our handy guide to this week’s new releases. From the biggest blockbusters to the best in independent and world cinema, we’ve got it covered.

The Purge: Election Year

What’s it about? The third – and most certainly not the last – film in the ongoing dystopian Purge franchise. Set in a frighteningly believable totalitarian version of America, in order to stabilise and control the population, once a year, for 12 hours only, all crime is legal. This brutal and thrilling premise from the first two films has now expanded into the political arena, as rival factions, supporters and opponents of the purge, get caught up in the spiral of violence. In a year when an openly racist, mentally unhinged, tiny-handed demagogue is running for president – this may be the year’s most prescient and vital horror film.

Who’s in it? Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Edwin Hodge, Betty Gabriel, JJ Soria, Mykelti Williamson

[brid video=”27425″ player=”531″ title=”The Purge Election Year Trailer 1 (Universal Pictures) HD”]

 

Julieta

What’s it about? For his 20th feature film, Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar has returned to his most celebrated genre – the cinema of women. Loosely based on three short stories by Alice Munro, Julieta tells the story of a woman planning to leave Madrid with her boyfriend, when a chance encounter changes everything and forces her to deal with memories from her past. This is fertile ground for Almodovar, who made his name with lurid melodramas of love, desire and complicated heroines. Fans of the great director will no doubt be delighted.

Who’s in it? Emma Suarez, Adriana Ugarte, Rossy De Palma, Daniel Grao, Inma Cuesta, Michelle Jenner

[brid video=”28961″ player=”531″ title=”JULIETA from Pedro Almodovar Official UK Trailer In Cinemas August 2016″]

 

War Dogs

What’s it about? Todd Phillips follows up his hugely successful Hangover trilogy, with this ripped from the headlines tale of two young arms dealers who end up in a situation way over their heads. The film offers a heavily dramatised account of their multi million dollar government contract to supply huge stashes of Cold War weaponry to the allied forces in Afghanistan. It’s a fascinating story, but whether or not we can care enough about a pair of gun-selling bastards for it to succeed as a film, that remains to be seen.

Who’s in it? Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper, Ana De Armas, Jonah Hill

[brid video=”60393″ player=”531″ title=”War Dogs Main Trailer Warner Bros. UK”]

 

Bad Moms

What’s it about? Another film from Hangover alumni this week, as the writers of the original (and best) film in that series direct this R-rated comedy of matriarchal madness. Boasting a truly stunning cast of comedic talent, including the likes of Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Cristina Applegate, and the wonderful Kathryn Hahn, Bad Moms tells the story of a group of ordinary, over-worked mums who are pushed to their limit, and decide to let loose, setting them on a collision course with the uber-mums of the PTA. Expect it to be lewd, crude and hilarious. Don’t go and see it with your mum. But definitely go and see it.

Who’s in it? Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Jay Hernandez, Annie Mumolo, Jada Pinkett Smith, Christina Applegate

[brid video=”36480″ player=”531″ title=”Bad Moms Official Red Band Trailer STX Entertainment”]

 

Popstar: Never Stop, Never Stopping

What’s it about? From The Lonely Island (aka comedians Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone), comes this comedy about a successful rapper Conner4Real (Samberg) whose career takes a nosedive. Desperate to make it back to the big time he reforms his old boy band The Style Boyz. It boasts a terrific cast, with plenty of big name cameos too. Based on the hilarious first trailer, this could be amazing.

Who’s in it? Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, Joan Cusack

[brid video=”30038″ player=”531″ title=”POPSTAR NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING Trailer 1 (Universal Pictures)”]

 

ALSO OUT

Mechanic: Resurrection
Bonkers sequel starring the Stath, Jessica Alba, and a strangely goateed Tommy Lee Jones.

Cell
Stephen King adaptation starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson

Kids in Love
Bohemian teen drama with Cara Delevigne and Will Poulter

Gary Numan: Android In La La Land
Documentary about the famed electro music icon

author avatar
John Parker
John is a freelance writer and film reviewer for Entertainment Focus.

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